st peters square

Pope Leo XIV shared a lighthearted moment with the Harlem Globetrotters at St. Peter’s Square, attempting to spin a basketball and drawing cheers from onlookers. The interaction reflected his long-standing love for the game, rooted in his Chicago upbringing. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox are honoring that connection with a special Pope-themed hat giveaway during their August matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, celebrating a unique bond between faith and sport.

Easter 2026 falls on April 5, a date determined by the lunar calendar and the spring equinox. This year's observance marks the culmination of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday on March 29. The holiday signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope and new beginnings for believers worldwide.

It was a poignant morning.Over 150,000 people had gathered in St Peter's square for a historic moment.A pope, first in 600 years, was knowingly addressing his last public audience.

Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural Sunday address, passionately appealed for global peace, echoing the sentiments of his predecessor. He specifically called for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, and expressed hope for lasting accord between India and Pakistan. The new pontiff's words resonated deeply with the massive crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis prayed for peace, calm and international help to open a path of dialogue during his Sunday blessing, delivered from his studio window overlooking St Peter's Square. The Pope said, "I ask myself: this hatred and vendetta, what will it bring? Do we truly think that we can build peace by destroying the other?"

Pope Francis warmly greeted players from his favourite football team San Lorenzo after a general audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday, following their victory in the national championship in Argentina.

Pope Francis went to a hospital in Rome on Saturday for a scan, which the Vatican said had ruled out lung complications after a bout of flu forced him to cancel his activities.

Pope Francis's body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica, with public viewing for three days before Saturday's funeral. Cardinals and Swiss Guards escorted the coffin, as world leaders, including Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are expected to attend the funeral. The pontiff, who died at 88 after a stroke, lay in state for Vatican residents.

The Vatican announced on Thursday that the July 2-7 trip had been postponed indefinitely because of the 85-year-old pontiff's knee ailment, which has forced him to use a wheelchair for more than a month.

Pope Francis has gone to a Rome hospital for scheduled surgery for a stenosis, or restriction, of the large intestine. The brief announcement on Sunday afternoon didn't say when the surgery would be performed but it said there would be announcement when the surgery is complete.

It was the autumn of 1994 when Bengalurean Deepak Kamath and his friend Basavaraj Horkeri reached St Peter’s Square at the Vatican as part of their global motorcycle expedition, which they began from Bengaluru. The two got a picture clicked at the famous square.

More than 1,000 Italian security personnel were called up to help safeguard the event, and air space around the tiny Holy See has been closed off for the day. Italy ordered that flags around the country be flown at half staff. Among those attending the funeral were Germans in traditional Bavarian outfits carrying flags and standards of the area of Germany where Benedict was born.

Pope Leo XIV is set to deliver his inaugural Sunday blessing from the Vatican, continuing a tradition started by Pope Pius XII in 1954. This weekly event, featuring the Angelus prayer to Mary, has become a significant moment for the faithful to connect with the Pope. Past blessings have included memorable moments, such as St.

Praying in a desolately empty St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis on Friday likened the coronavirus pandemic to a storm laying bare illusions that people can be self-sufficient and instead leaves "all of us fragile and disoriented" and needing each other's help and comfort. "We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick," he said.

World leaders and dignitaries have converged on St Peter's Square to honor Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 from heart failure. The funeral ceremony, attended by figures like Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and President Murmu of India, marks a significant moment of global mourning. Notable absences include Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu due to international arrest warrants.

Pope Francis, just a day before his death, surprised the world with an unexpected appearance in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. Despite recent severe illness and hospitalisation, the 88-year-old pontiff greeted the faithful after the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

The announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he will beatify his predecessor, Pope John Paul II on May 1 this year in St. Peter's Square in Rome, has doubled the joy for the Catholic community here, who have been preparing to celebrate the silver jubilee of Pope John Paul II visit to the city on February 6.

Praying in a desolately empty St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis on Friday likened the coronavirus pandemic to a storm laying bare illusions that people can be self-sufficient and instead leaves ``all of us fragile and disoriented'' and needing each other's help and comfort.

Vatican City mourns the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88, a day after his Easter appearance. The spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, his death has prompted gatherings and tears in St. Peter's Square. Vatican City, though small, holds immense religious and historical significance, featuring iconic sites like St.